Experience beyond his years
Nathan Reichstein CA was just 24 when he moved to Darwin to lead Moore Stephens’ three-person NT office. He is the 2019 Young CA Regional Advocate, NT.
In Brief
- Nathan Reichstein CA was recently named CA ANZ 2019 Young CA Regional Advocate, NT.
- Reichstein was put in charge of the Moore Stephens Northern Territory office when he was just 24 years old.
- His volunteering includes presenting tax seminars at the Melaleuca Refugee Centre.
By Jessica Mudditt
Nathan Reichstein CA was just 24 when he moved to Darwin to Moore Stephens’ three-person NT office (then trading as Hayes Knight NT). Ten years later, he leads a practice of 14 staff.
“It was a life experience,” Reichstein says. “I learned so many things that you aren’t taught at university as an accounting student.”
He says the most challenging aspect was finding the right team members. “Darwin is a pretty transitory place, with people just up here for a few years,” he explains. “In the early stages, I was getting bums on seats and it wasn’t necessarily the right fit culturally. You can teach technical skills but not how someone works in a team.”
“You can teach technical skills but not how someone works in a team.”
Reichstein learned to rely on his judgement, rather than appraising a CV. He also had candidates meet other team members to get a sense of the chemistry.
“Depending on the position, I’d get them together in a room with our senior team members and see how the conversation flowed.”
Turnover remains an issue, due to a declining population and a challenging economic climate. Reichstein manages client expectations and provides a level of continuity by taking a hands-on role with all advisory clients.
In his volunteer work, he has presented in four seminars at the Melaleuca Refugee Centre in Darwin to help people recently granted work rights learn about Australia’s taxation system.
Reichstein was recently named the CA ANZ 2019 Young CA Regional Advocate, NT. He is one of 12 Young CA Regional Advocates, who are shortlisted for the 2019 President’s Prize, to be announced in late 2019. The prize recognises CA ANZ members under 35 who have made an outstanding commitment to the accounting profession and have used their skills in service of their local community.
Nathan Reichstein CA
Moore Stephens, director
Age: 34
Other roles:
2019 Young CA Regional Advocate, NT
Moore Stephens National Business Advisory Committee, chair
Moore Stephens NT Staff CA Program, mentor